Used car inspection checklist — what to look at before buying?

Here's my used car inspection checklist from 15 years of buying/selling: **Before you go:** - Run a Carfax/AutoCheck ($40 — ask seller for VIN upfront) - Check recall status at NHTSA.gov - Research common problems for that specific year/make/model **Visual inspection (engine off):** - Oil dipstick: dark is OK, milky = head gasket, metal flakes = engine wear - Coolant: should be clean green/orange/pink, not brown or oily - Transmission fluid: should be red/pink, not brown/burnt smelling - Under the car: look for fresh leaks, rust on frame/subframe, evidence of collision repair - Tires: even wear? All matching brand? Uneven wear = alignment or suspension issues - Body panels: gaps even? Mismatched paint? Overspray on rubber trim? = accident repair - All lights working (headlights, turns, brake, reverse) **Running inspection:** - Cold start (ask seller NOT to warm it up before you arrive) - Listen for ticking, knocking, squealing on startup - Exhaust smoke: blue = oil, white = coolant, black = running rich - All gauges normal, no warning lights - AC blows cold, heater blows hot - All power windows, locks, mirrors work - Radio, Bluetooth, backup camera functional **Test drive (minimum 20 minutes):** - Accelerate hard: any hesitation, jerking, or smoke? - Highway speed: vibrations, pulling, wind noise? - Brake from highway speed: pulling, pulsing, grinding? - Sharp turns both directions: clicking (CV joints), clunking (suspension) - Go over bumps: rattles, clunks, bouncing? - Transmission: smooth shifts? All gears engage? **After the drive:** - Re-check under the car for new drips - Open the oil cap: any milky residue or smoke? - Feel each wheel: any excessively hot? (could be sticking brake) **Final step:** Pay a trusted mechanic $100-150 for a pre-purchase inspection. Best money you'll ever spend. They'll catch things you won't.

The biggest tell I look for: does the seller let you get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection)? If they resist or say "it was just inspected" — walk away. Honest sellers have nothing to hide. Also always, ALWAYS do a cold start. A warm engine hides a lot of sins.

One more thing nobody mentions: check the door jamb sticker vs what the seller claims. It has the original paint color code, weight ratings, and manufacture date. If the car was "repainted to original color" — why? Probably accident damage they don't want to disclose.